Knowing that every win counts, the La Jolla Country Day varsity tennis team is aware that every match is important. Last year, it was able to win matches based on games. This year, it is all about winning sets. And when players are off one day or just not on top of their games, those lost sets can be detrimental to the final results.

Over the last few weeks, the varsity Torreys took on Parker, Cathedral, Bishops, La Jolla High, Pacific Ridge and Dana Hills. Both the JV and varsity teams dominated Bishops, with the varsity team almost sweeping all of its doubles matches against Parker and Bishops. Juniors Danielle Devor and Lauren Ross shined, winning two out of three singles sets against both schools. Doubles players Lindsey Jacobs, Olivia Martin, Alexis Parkhurst, Hannah Shaich, Niki Mani and Kendal McGinnis all did great and won almost all of their doubles sets. Torreys defeated Parker 13-5 and Bishops 12-6.

They were defeated 6-12, however, by Cathedral. The Torreys were only able to take home three singles sets won by Devor and three doubles sets, two won by Shaich and Mani, and one by Jacobs and Martin. Cathedral played solid, and for some Country Day players, it was an off day — frustrating for the coaches as much as the players.

This past week, the Torreys had one of their hardest competitions of the season, as they took on La Jolla High School and Dana Hills, two of Southern California’s toughest teams. They began the week with a match against LJHS — their biggest rival, whom they’ve beaten in the finals of the CIF championships for the past two years.

The Vikings have a solid team, but the Torreys were ready to put their best foot forward for this match. Head coach Joslynn Burkett added more strength to the doubles lineup, teaming Devor with Jacobs. As a result, the Torreys won seven out of nine doubles sets, which were dominated by Devor and Jacobs, as well as McGinnis and Martin.

While the doubles teams were impressive, the Torreys struggled with the Vikings singles players, who made very few errors and played at the top of their game.

Burkett, however, did not leave the match disappointed.

“The girls went out there and competed the best they could,” she said. “Not only did they compete, but their team spirit was by far the cheeriest and most supportive of the entire season. I’m positive if someone were watching and did not know the score, they wouldn’t have known that we lost.”

After the tough loss against the Vikings, the Torreys took on Pacific Ridge for a “Pink Match” in support of breast cancer research, which the Torreys won 12 to 6.

The team then traveled to take on Dana Hills, one of LA’s top varsity teams, where the Torreys lost 3-15 — gaining three wins in the doubles sets from McGinnis/Martin and Jacobs/Ross. The loss was a great learning experience, however, as the competition against such a tough geam will allow them to be ready for regionals.

The Torreys will rest and practice for one week before the CIF team championships, which will begin Oct. 23 at Country Day, and the CIF individual championships, which begin Nov. 5.